Md. Immigrant In-State Tuition Bill Advances

PHOENIX - APRIL 23: Demonstrators protest Arizona's new immigration law outside the Arizona state capitol building on April 23, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Republican Gov. Jan Brewer ignored criticism from President Barack Obama and signed into law a bill supporters said would take handcuffs off police in dealing with illegal immigration in Arizona. Critics say the new law will lead to racial profiling and civil rights abuses against the Hispanic community. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

On Apr. 23, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed a controversial bill empowering law enforcement to stop people suspected of being illegal aliens. (credit: John Moore/Getty Images)

The bill approved Monday still must be approved by the House of Delegates before going to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who has said he will sign it.

Sen. Victor Ramirez, a Democrat from Prince George’s sponsored the bill. He immigrated legally as a child from El Salvador. He told opponents during debate that voting against the bill would not solve problems relating to people living illegally in the state.

The financial implications for students are significant.

In-state tuition is $8,416 annually, and out-of-state students pay $24,831 a year.

Opponents said the legislation raised the issue of who subsidizes the education of illegal immigrants covered by the legislation, not whether they can attend college.

One Comment

Are you kidding me?! We can support ILLEGEAL students to get in state tuition, but as a new resident to MD i have to prove that i am paying taxes, have a statement from my job that proves i am paying taxes in the state before they will even consider me for in state tuition. Am i the only one that sees something wrong? Why would we make it EASY on ILLEGEAL students, but make it IMMPOSSIBLE for legal TAXPAYING RESIDENTS? No wonder we have such budget issues if we are willing to subsidize ILLEGEAL that contribute NOTHING to our “system” but yet get all the perks and benefits that we have to offer. If i went in and applied for half of these benefits they would laugh me out of the offices because i work and contribute.
ITS JUST WRONG!

Hun the same goes for the illegals.. read the bill.. they have to prove the same info your proving & more!! The only difference is that after YOU graduate YOU get to practice you degree!! These other young adults DONT!! THEY get to pay for there own schooling experience college life & go back to minimum wage because once again they’re illegal they cant get a proper job without residency or citizenship!! THEY also are not as lucky as you receiving grants & aid.. everything is out- of-pocket!!

They may be human, but if they are here illegally they are criminals. My understanding is that anyone who AIDS & ABETS criminals also are criminals inasmuch as they are acting against the law. So, that makes how many of our congresspeople and senators criminals since they are doing exactly that? There should be no ands, ifs or buts about it – illegal immigrants want schooling PAY FOR IT LIKE ANY OTHER OUT-OF-STATE students. I am sick and tired of being slapped in the face by those in government who continually take away my rights as a tax paying citizen! You students who are from out of town really need to let your voices be heard in Annapolis and be LOUD & CLEAR! I am sure this will be censored and never published as most of my “protests” have been ’cause they aren’t the views of the channels and newscasters.

Cut benefits and programs for legal tax paying citizens and rewards ILLEGALS.
Time for new elected officials who will represent the legal citizens of the state.
Blog, facebook.twitter and keep the names of the officialls who failed to represent us out there until they are no longer representing us.

Seriously? Voting against this bill will not solve immigration problems? Maybe not, but voting for it definitely makes problems worse!!! Put away your “We Are Human” signs folks- no one is debating that issue here so please stop making this a racial prejudice issue!!!!! Sen. Ramirez, you’re NOT getting re-elected. And stop using the phrase “immigrant bill” in your articles! This is an ILLEGAL immigrant bill- totally different.

Are you really kidding, they are not really going to pay anything anyway,who pays to have them stay here,our government,they bring them here give them a job that some americans can not find yet,give them food stamps to get them on there feet and a tax free pay check,SO WHO IS PAYING HERE??

You sound very knowledgeable on this subject refresh my memory.. how do illegal immigrants apply for all those wonderful programs from the state?? There illegal, last time i checked you have to be a citizen to receive assistance or a legal resident of 5 years!! I work for the state!! Learn your facts!!

What about ILLEGAL does our state government understand? This state is supposed to be brke financially wher is this money coming from? I guess that they will come up with some kind of tax for us to pay for it..

We are human..please go back to your country and try to get back in legally. I am not paying for you or your kids if you are irresponsible to begin with. it called self-responsibility which a lot folks in this country does have either. This is why they keep electing the same fools that supported a bill like this.

Please explain to me how an ILLEGAL can pay taxes where did they get a social security number. again O’malley slaps taxpayers in the face with the state broke,people picketing in Annapolis you would think he got the message but he is so out of touch with the true people of this state it is a crime in itself.
TIME TO IMPEACH THESE IDIOTS

Just to answer your maybe rhetorical question, If a illegal immigrant came to this country before 2001 they could apply to get tax id’s and with that they pay taxes…Not all of them did but many did……just saying

ALL the people on here posting should realize what they’re b****ing about!! Maybe Y’ALL should get off your lazy a**es & complain to your congressman & not wjz readers!! If you took The time to read the actual bill. There are stipulation to this bill.. One of the previous posters stated you have to show you’re living in MD & tax papers right? well same goes for the immigrants!! they also have to show that they’ve been in high school in Maryland!! & for the people saying that they don’t contribute anything… they do!! THEY PAY TAXES WITH SOMETHING CALLED AN ITIN # LOOK IT UP… So sad that people open up there mouthes & know nothing about the subject!! half these people on these forums have received assistance from the government at one point in time or know someone that has!! ILLEGALS ARE DOING JOBS THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL.. THEY DON’T ASK FOR HELP .. IF THEY WANTED TO THEY CANT EVEN DO IT.. BECAUSE THEY ARE ILLEGAL!! To get an idea of what your even being so judgmental about maybe you should at least use your resources & Goggle!!

I think the main stipulation should be that you are a legal citizen because that is who is going to pick up the tab. You will not be able to pay your own childrens tuition but you will be paying the tuition for persons who are in this country illegally. It does not take a brain surgeon to figure this out but you in your IGNORANCE CANNOT. How many are paying taxes with stolen social security numbers? You might benefit from your own advice. They are costing this country billions of dollars. We are already obligated by law to supply them with K-12 education. Do you think they are kicking in enough for that. Some comments are just plain idiotic, if you know what I mean.

Iam sick and tired of all these illegals living amongst us goodness especially in highlandtown I know 100 percent are illegal they live in townhomes with 20 people it seems the landlords don’t car because they are getting their rent paid especially in the current house market they want anyone to keep them from forclosure, I see african american business owners come pick up illegals to work onconstruction jobs everyday now this bill just gives more incentives to come here illegally damn we don’t have any jobs here for american just go back to mexico or wherever get the hell out

Everyone on this blog should be writing to Governor O’malley, remember the the person who was elected and has a responsibility to LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS. Please let him know that you will do everything to recall him if he does not follow the will of the Maryland citizens who will be picking up the tab for this in many ways. Start a petition, let your neighbors, family and friends know how much this is going to cost. It you do not act and act in a major way this will become law. It is sickening to know that Illegal persons who are in this country and are not citizens are demanding to take away as much as they can from our families and children. You will have to work hard to stop this or work hard to continue to pay for this.

Is this bill going to the senate this week? Then we all need to contact out Senators and let them know that we do not support it. I have 3 children and paid out of state tuition for one to go to college in VA. It is bad enough illegals can go to college here, but why should we also offer an in state tuition rate?! It is already a challenge for many legal residents to get into school.